Mars Attacks!, Kill Bill, Scarface…also literary classics like Moby Dick and The Little Prince – Istanbul-based illustrator Murat Palta can expertly render them in the style of old Ottoman miniatures. Each piece looks beautifully time-worn. Even though the scenes are executed within the aesthetic of a foreign culture, they manage to accurately capture the essence of the stories displayed.

“I have a deep interest in different cultures and the points at which they connect with each other,” writes Murat. “Also, I love movies, video games, books and mythology. I believe that these things shape our language and how we see the world. Researching medieval manuscripts is great fun, which is the essential part for me. I love learning the stories that lie behind them. Through my work, I intend to build bridges in the world. I am in the process of looking for other traditional arts that…